NOTHING SO MUCH CLEARS A LEARNER’S WAY . . . AS A GOOD METHOD.

The above quote is from John Locke’s ” Some Thoughts Concerning Education” – 1690

Education, according to Noah Webster’s definition in his 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, is defined as:  The bringing up, as of a child; instruction; formation of manners.  Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations.  To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.

This is the American Christian understanding of education and includes both content and method.  It rests upon an American Christian Philosophy of Education which lays Christ “at the foundation of all sound knowledge and learning.”

As an educator and parent, I know that if you don’t have a good method of teaching – of conveying information to the learner –  the information may be excellent, true, necessary, even life-giving; and still remain unlearned!

How disheartening to both student and teacher!  And how blessed are God’s people because He laid out the method for us, as well as the content.  He gave us the who, what, where, why, and how of genuine education.

Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 begins with, “Hear, O Israel:  The Lord our God is one Lord:  And you shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.  And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart:  And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shalt talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.  And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  And you shalt write them upon the posts of your house, and on your gates.”

In the following posts, we’re going to break this scripture down and invite the Holy Spirit to grant us understanding and to reveal to us this divine method for teaching, that it might be well with us and our children, and that we may prolong our days in this land God has given us to steward and preserve for our posterity.